Style:

Swing, usually played at a medium slow tempo.

Form:

A1-A2-B-A1 (32 Bars) [8-8-8-8]

Arrangements:

The final phrase is sometimes repeated as a tag ending.

Key:

Bb Major

Harmony/Overview:

The  harmony of this composition is based on the George Gershwin standard "I Got Rhythm". The final turnaround in the A sections however gives the piece much of its character, using tri-tone substitution to return back to the tonic; IIImi7 - bIII7 - IImi7 - bII7. The bridge is an exact transposition of the A section, only up a 4th.

Recordings:

This  song has been recorded over 80 times to date. Trummy Young claims that Dameron had written “Good Bait” in the 1930's, although it was not  recorded until 1945 by Dizzy Gillespie. Tadd Dameron would record it himself on multiple occasions, both alongside Fats Navarro and even Miles Davis. It has since become one of the most popular rhythm changes in the repertoire and it has been recorded by a wide range of artists.

JGC Top Picks:

Dexter Gordon, Lullaby for a Monster, 1976

Steve Grossman, In New York, 1991

Joe Lovano, On This Day ... Live at the Vanguard, 2002